Justice minister: Referendum expected to be held on April 16

Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said on Thursday that a referendum on a constitutional package introducing an executive presidency in Turkey is expected to be held on April 16.

Speaking during an interview with state-run TRT on Thursday, Bozdağ also responded to criticism from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), saying recent remarks by Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım grouping the CHP with terror supporters were distorted.

Underlining that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) doesn’t call naysayers terrorists, Bozdağ added that the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and faith-based Gülen movement are in the “no camp.”

“If terror organizations are exerting efforts for a ‘no’ vote, then our citizens who are inclined to vote against [the amendments] should know who is working to that end,” he said.

Bozdağ also rejected claims by the opposition that the amendments will extend the powers of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and impose one-man rule in Turkey.

“The claims that the president will rule the country through statutory decrees are an exaggeration and distortion. The president will not be given the power to eradicate Parliament,” he said.

The ruling AKP, backed by the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), pushed through the legislation that President Erdoğan says will bring the strong leadership needed to prevent a return of the fragile coalition governments of the past.

The CHP and the HDP fear the reform will fuel authoritarianism.

The reform will enable Erdoğan to appoint and dismiss government ministers, take back the leadership of the ruling party and govern until 2029.

The plans foresee presidential and general elections in 2019, with a maximum of two five-year terms.